Detachable Closure Device for a Bag

ABSTRACT

A detachable closure device for a bag includes a fastener having a first wall coupled along a fold to an opposing, second wall. A first attachment mechanism is disposed at a first end of the first wall and a second attachment mechanism is disposed at an opposite, second end of the first wall. At least one latching element is disposed on the fastener and configured to detachably couple the fastener to a side panel of a bag.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

SEQUENTIAL LISTING

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a closure device for a bag, and more particularly, to a detachable closure device used to alternatively open and close an opening of one or more bags, such as one or more disposable or re-usable bags.

2. Description of the Background of the Disclosure

Bags such as pouches, satchels, shopping bags, tote bags, book bags, hand bags, lunch bags and the like, are often used to carry items. These bags typically have an open top for easy access into a compartment of the bag. However, if the bag has no securable cover or lid, the contained items are susceptible to falling out of the bag, which can damage the items or risk loss of the items. This risk is pronounced when using disposable bags such as lunch bags. Disposable lunch bags do not have a securable cover or lid, jeopardizing loss or damage of the lunch content when a user, such as a child, carries the lunch bag throughout the day.

In order to secure items within a bag's compartment, some bags have a built-in closure mechanism that, for example, secures a cover, lid, or zipper profile to the open top of the bag. In this manner, the bag may be occluded and reopened at will. Examples of such closure mechanisms include zippers, buckles, and pins that are each built-in to the bag. However, because these closure mechanisms are an inherent part of the bag, the closure mechanisms are not detachable from the bag. When the bag is no longer useful, the closure mechanism is also rendered useless because the closure mechanism is substantially inseparable from the bag and not easily reusable with other bags.

Accordingly, it would be an advance in the art to provide solutions for one or more of the above issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, a detachable closure device for a bag includes a fastener having a first wall coupled along a fold to an opposing, second wall. A first attachment mechanism is disposed at a first end of the first wall and a second attachment mechanism is disposed at an opposite, second end of the first wall. At least one latching element is disposed on the fastener and configured to detachably couple the fastener to a side panel of a bag.

According to another embodiment, a disposable lunch bag for use with a detachable closure device includes a polygonal bottom panel. A plurality of planar, side panels extend upwardly from an outer periphery of the polygonal bottom panel to form an edge at an open top. An engaging mechanism includes at least one aperture situated proximate the edge of one of the planar, side panels through which opposing latching elements of a detachable closure device couple with one another.

According to a different embodiment, a bag includes a bottom panel and a plurality of side panels that extend upwardly from an outer periphery of the bottom panel to form a top edge of an open top. A detachable closure device is removably attachable to the top edge of one of the side panels. The detachable closure device includes a fastener having a first wall coupled along a fold to an opposing, second wall. The detachable closure device also includes a first latching element disposed on the first wall and a second latching element disposed on the second wall. The first latching element engages with the second latching element when the fold is placed over the top edge of the one side panel. Further, first and second attachment mechanisms are disposed at opposite corresponding ends of the first wall of the fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a closure device;

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a closure device;

FIG. 1B is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the closure device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an isometric view of the closure device of FIG. 1B, wherein the closure device is in the closed position;

FIG. 1D is an enlarged partial view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 1E is an enlarged partial view similar to FIG. 1D showing communication members therein;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a bag for use with the closure device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3C each illustrate the bag of FIG. 2 in use with the closure device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an exemplary top view showing contents within the bag of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3C illustrate a closure device 100 that is removably coupled to a bag 200. The closure device 100 is detachable from the bag 200 and is configured to successively close and open one or more bags. The bag 200, in turn, has an engaging mechanism 202 in proximity to a top edge of a side panel 204 of the bag 200. The engaging mechanism 202 engages with the closure device 100 to detachably affix the closure device 100 to the bag 200. Once the closure device 100 is detachably affixed to the side panel 204, an open top 214 of the bag 200 is occluded by bringing an opposing side panel 208 of the bag 200 in proximity to the affixed closure device 100. The two opposing panels 204 and 208 of the bag 200 are rolled down over each other toward a bottom panel 212 of the bag 200. After rolling, opposing ends of the closure device 100 interconnect via attachment mechanisms 130 and 140, fixing the rolled down portion of the bag 200 in position. The bag 200 is opened by releasing the attachment mechanisms 130 and 140 and unrolling the bag 200. The closure device 100 may subsequently be detached from the bag 200. The closure device 100 is then reusable with bag 200 or another bag (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 1, a closure device 100 that is detachable (“detachable closure device” or “reusable closure device”) is illustrated. The closure device 100 includes a fastener 102 and attachment mechanisms 130 and 140. The fastener 102 includes a first wall 104 that is coupled along a fold 108 to an opposing, second wall 106, such as by being hingedly connected at the fold 108. Although shown as substantially rectangular in shape, other shapes of the fastener 102 and corresponding walls are also contemplated such as square, other polygonal shapes, circular, oval, or a combination thereof. For example, in certain embodiments, the first wall 104 is rectangular and the second wall 106 is oval in shape. Moreover, the shape of the fastener 102 is deformable in certain embodiments. The fastener 102 is constructed of any suitable material such as polyethylene, polyvinylchloride or cardboard, for example, or combinations thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the fastener 102 comprises 1/32″ thick polypropylene.

One or more latching elements are disposed on the fastener 102 and are configured to removably couple the fastener 102 to a side panel 204 of the bag, such, as bag 200 of FIG. 2. It is contemplated that the at least one fastener could be provided on one or more of the first and second walls 104 and 106. Preferably, the at least one latching element comprises a pair of inter-engaging first and second elements, wherein the first element is provided on the first wall 104 and the second element is provided on the second wall 106. More preferably, the fastener comprises a plurality of these inter-engaging elements, which could be any of the latching elements noted herein. For example, the latching element could include a clip that clips the fastener 102 to a top edge 218 of the side panel 204 of bag 200. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a set of two pairing latching elements (114:120 and 116:122) are disposed on the fastener 102. Examples of pairing latching elements include hook-and-loop latching elements, hook and eye latching elements, socket and ball latching elements, button and hole latching elements, butterfly clasp latching elements, buckle and catch latching elements, complementary magnetic latching elements, a combination thereof, and the like. In FIG. 1, a set of two pairing latching elements are illustrated as pairs of snaps 114:120 and 116:122. Snaps 114 and 116 are each disposed on an inner surface 126 of the first wall 104 of fastener 102; similarly, snaps 120 and 122 are each disposed on an inner surface 128 of the second wall 106 of the fastener 102. Here, snap 114 engages with snap 120 and snap 116 engages with snap 122. Other configurations of latching elements are also contemplated. For example, the set of pairing latching elements include between one pair of latching elements to a plurality of latching elements, such as 10 pairs of latching elements (e.g., hook-and-loop latching elements) that are disposed in respective walls of the fastener 102. As shown in FIG. 1A, another embodiment of the closure device 100′ includes three pairs of closure elements (114:120, 116:122, and 118:124).

In certain embodiments, the attachment mechanisms 130 and 140 of the closure device 100 are disposed at opposing first and second ends 110, 112 of the fastener 102. To illustrate, in FIG. 1, the attachment mechanism 130 is disposed at a first end 110 of the first wall 104 and the attachment mechanism 140 is disposed at an opposing, second end 112 of the first wall 104 of the fastener 102. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible member 132 connects attachment mechanisms 130 and 140 to the fastener 102. Alternatively, or in combination, one or more attachment mechanisms 130 and 140 are disposed at the first and second ends 110, 112 of the second wall 106 of the fastener 102. In FIG. 1, the attachment mechanism 130 includes a flexible member 132 that extends from an insertion member 134 of the attachment mechanism 130 through the fastener 102 to an engaging member 144 of the attachment mechanism 140, which engages with the insertion member 134 via a quick-release buckle and catch mechanism. In the present embodiment, the flexible member 132 is threaded through a plurality of openings 135 provided in the first wall 104 of the fastener 102. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the flexible member 132 includes a first portion 132A, which extends from the first end 110 of the first wall 104 to the insertion member 134. Additionally, a second portion 132B of the flexible member 132 extends from the second end 112 of the first wall 104 to the engaging member 144. Examples of a flexible member include a rope, a lanyard, a woven fabric, a wire, a band, and the like. Examples of insertion members 134 and engaging members 144 include: hook-and-loop, hook and eye, socket and ball, button and hole, butterfly clasps, buckle and catch, complementary magnetic mechanisms, a combination thereof, and the like. In certain embodiments, the flexible member 132 or portions 132A, 132B of the flexible member 132 are the engaging members 134 and 144. For example, the flexible member 132, or portions 132A, 132B thereof, may be ropes having ends that tie together.

Further, in certain embodiments, at least one of the attachment members 130 and 140 is configured to couple with other devices. For example, in FIG. 1, the attachment members 130 and 140 each have corresponding apertures 136 and 146, respectively, through which hooks, carbineer clips, or other securement mechanisms engage. To illustrate, a water bottle having a harness and a releasable hook is coupled to the closure device 100 by looping the hook of the water bottle through the aperture 136 of the flexible member 132. Alternatively, accessories can be hooked through one or more of the apertures 136 and 146 to allow a user to customize the closure device 100. For example, one or more charms could be attached by a hook or by some other retention element to the attachment members 130 and 140 through the apertures 136 and 146.

Referring now to FIGS. 1B and 1C, in certain embodiments the closure device 100 or 100′ includes openings 160A, 160B for retaining removable articles 162 therein. As shown in FIG. 1B, the openings 160A, 160B are provided on the fastener 102 as holes in the second wall 106, such that when the fastener 102 is closed, the openings 160A, 160B may be seen (see FIG. 1C). Although FIGS. 1B and 1C show two openings 160A, 160B disposed within the fastener 102, it is contemplated that greater or fewer openings 160 may be included. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E, the fastener 102 may include four openings 160A-D. The openings 160A-D are configured to couple with the removable article 162A-D, respectively, via an interference fit, for example. Other means of coupling the openings 160A-D with the removable articles 162A-D are also contemplated, such as via a snapping means, a magnetic connection, releasable adhesive, and the like, or any combination thereof.

The removable articles 162 A-D may be charms or pogs that are capable of being received within the openings 160A-D. In certain embodiments, the one or more removable articles 162A-D may include a communication element, such as an image (e.g., peace symbol on removable member 162C) or a message (e.g., “bananas are good for you” on removable member 162D). In some embodiments the user may write a note, their name, or other message on the removable articles 162A-D. Other forms of content are also contemplated, such as a picture of a person or a pet; a Quick Response Code; a trademark or slogan; a combination thereof, and the like. Alternatively, or in combination, the surface of the removable articles 162A-D include a reflective surface (e.g., a mirror), a color, or a textured substance. The removable articles 162A-D are made of any suitable materials such as plastic, paperboard, metal, glass, gelatinous material, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1E, the fastener 102 may include a protective and/or securing screen 164, which is removably attached to the fastener 102 and configured to help retain the removable articles 162A-D within the fastener 102. Hooks 166 and 168 disposed on the second wall 106 provide a lip under which the screen 164 is inserted and affixed via friction fit between the hooks 166 and 168 and the screen 164. Other means of removably attaching the screen 164 to the fastener 102 are also contemplated, such as by an adhesive, and the like.

It is also contemplated that in certain embodiments, the removable articles 162A-D also serve the function of the latching elements (114:120 and 116:122) of the fastener 102. Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary bag 200 configured for use with the closure device 100 is illustrated. Bag 200 is illustrated as a gusseted bag including a plurality of side panels 204, 206, 208, and 210 and a polygonal bottom panel 212. The four side panels 204, 206, 208, and 210 each extend upwardly from the outer periphery of the bottom panel 212 to form a top edge of an open top, such as edge 218. Here, each of the bottom panel 212 and the side panels 204, 206, 208, and 210 are planar and quadrilateral with four edges and four corners. Two opposing edges of each side panel 204, 206, 208, and 210 are at least partially connected to corresponding edges of two other side panels, defining an enclosed interior volume of the bag 200 with an open top 214. Other configurations of bag 200 are also contemplated with any number of corresponding panels. For example, in certain embodiments, the bag 200 does not include a bottom panel but two side panels that are connected to each other at three corresponding peripheral edges such that a pouch with an open top is formed (not shown). Moreover, one or more panels of the bag may be of any suitable shape, such as planar, polygonal, or circular.

The bag 200 is made of any suitable material such as plastic, paper, fabric and the like, or any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the bag is made of a bi-axially oriented nylon bag coated in a polyethylene sealant layer or other thermoplastic film making the bag 200 substantially waterproof. Preferably, at least an upper part of each side panel is made of a deformable material, such as paper, thermoplastic film, woven material, fabric or other flexible material. Here, the deformable material allows the upper part of the opposing side panels of the bag 200 to roll down over each other toward the polygonal bottom panel 212 (see FIG. 3B). Optionally, one or more of the side and bottom panels are made of a biodegradable material such that when the bag 200 is disposed of, the bag 200 is at least partially dissolute by biological means.

The bag 200 includes an engaging mechanism 202 configured to couple with the closure device 100. In FIG. 2, the engaging mechanism 202 includes a plurality of apertures 203 situated proximate to the edge 218 of a single side panel 204. In this embodiment, side panels 206, 208, and 210 do not have apertures that couple with the closure device 100. The number of apertures 203 in the engaging mechanism 202 corresponds to the number of pairs of the latching elements on the fastener 102 of the closure device 100. For example, in the present embodiment there are two apertures 203 in the engaging mechanism 202, however, it is preferable to have at least one to 10 apertures 203.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A-3C, the bag 200 is configured to receive the fold 108 of the closure device 100 at the top edge 218 of the side panel 204. Here, the fold 108 is placed over the top edge 218 such that the inner surface 126 of the first wall 104 of the fastener 102 touches the outer surface of the side panel 204 and the inner surface 128 of the second wall 106 touches the inner surface of the side panel 204. The corresponding pairs of the latching elements (114:120 and 116:122) are then inter-engaged to detachably couple the fastener 102 of the closure device 100 to the side panel 204 of the bag 200. For example, snap 120 is pressed through one of the apertures 203 of the engaging mechanism 202 of the bag 200 and engaged with the snap 114. Snaps 122 and 116 are similarly inter-engaged to detachably couple the fastener 102 to the bag 200.

As stated previously, after the closure device 100 is detachably coupled to the side panel 204, the opposing side panel 208 of the bag 200 is brought in proximity of the closure device 100 to occlude the open top 214 of the bag 200. The two opposing panels 204 and 208 of the bag 200 are then rolled down over each other toward the bottom panel 212 of the bag 200 (FIG. 3B). The attachment mechanisms 130 and 140 are interconnected and a length of the flexible member 132 is optionally decreased or increased to tighten or loosen, respectively, the loop created by the interconnected attachment mechanisms 130, 140 that encircle the upper portion of the bag 200 (FIG. 3C). This configuration fixes the rolled down portion of the bag 200 in a closed position. Other configurations are also contemplated. In certain embodiments, the attachment mechanisms 130 and 140 encircle not only the upper portion of the bag 200 but another object. For example, the attachment mechanisms 130 and 140 may also encircle a lanyard of a backpack for hands-free transportation of the bag 200 (not shown).

In certain embodiments, the bag 200 is a disposable bag, such as a single use disposable lunch bag. In one embodiment, the closure element 100 is successively re-used with a plurality of disposable bags 200. To illustrate, a consumer uses a first disposable bag 200 with the closure element 100 to seal the bag 200. After the bag 200 is used, the closure element 100 is removed and the disposable bag 200 is disposed of, while the closure element 100 is not disposed of. Rather, the closure element 100 is made available for use with another bag 200. In other embodiments, a life span of the disposable bag is beyond a single use, such as multiple uses over one or more months, for example. Referring to FIG. 4, an interior of a lunch bag 200 for use with the closure device 100 is illustrated in a top view. The lunch bag 200 includes items such as a container 402 for food and a bottle 404 for a drinkable fluid. Other items, not shown, are optionally included in the lunch bag such as fruits, hand sanitizers, utensils, napkins, a combination thereof, and the like.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Numerous modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use what is herein disclosed and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of this disclosure are reserved. 

1. A detachable closure device for a bag, the detachable closure device comprising: a fastener including a first wall coupled along a fold to an opposing, second wall; a first attachment mechanism disposed at a first end of the first wall; a second attachment mechanism disposed at an opposite, second end of the first wall; and at least one latching element disposed on the fastener and configured to detachably couple the fastener to a side panel of a bag.
 2. The detachable closure device of claim 1, wherein the first and second walls are hingedly connected at the fold.
 3. The detachable closure device of claim 1, wherein the at least one latching element comprises a pair of inter-engaging first and second elements, wherein the first element is provided on the first wall and the second element is provided on the second wall.
 4. The detachable closure device of claim 3, wherein the first element is disposed on a first inner surface of the first wall and is engageable with the second element disposed on a second inner surface of the second wall.
 5. The detachable closure device of claim 3, wherein the first and second elements include a pair of clip elements, snap elements, hook-and-loop latching elements, hook and eye latching elements, socket and ball latching elements, button and hole latching elements, butterfly clasp latching elements, buckle and catch latching elements, or complementary magnetic latching elements.
 6. The detachable closure device of claim 3, wherein the first element is engageable with the second element through an aperture in a side panel of a bag that is proximate to an open top of the bag.
 7. The detachable closure device of claim 1, wherein the first attachment mechanism includes an insertion member and the second attachment mechanism includes a corresponding engaging member.
 8. The detachable closure device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second attachment mechanisms includes a flexible member extending from a respective end of the first wall.
 9. The detachable closure device of claim 8, wherein the flexible member is a lanyard.
 10. The detachable closure device of claim 1, wherein the first attachment mechanism includes a first flexible member connected to an insertion member and the second attachment mechanism includes a second flexible member connected to an engaging member that is configured to engage the insertion member.
 11. A disposable lunch bag for use with a detachable closure device, the disposable bag comprising: a polygonal bottom panel; a plurality of planar, side panels each extending upwardly from an outer periphery of the polygonal bottom panel to form an edge at an open top; and an engaging mechanism including at least one aperture situated proximate the edge of one of the planar, side panels through which opposing latching elements of a detachable closure device couple with one another.
 12. The disposable lunch bag of claim 11, wherein an upper portion of the plurality of planar, side panels are each made of flexible material such that, when the open top is occluded, two opposing planar, side panels are configured to roll down over each other toward the polygonal bottom panel.
 13. A bag comprising: a bottom panel; a plurality of side panels each extending upwardly from an outer periphery of the bottom panel to form a top edge of an open top; and a detachable closure device removably attachable to the top edge of one of the side panels, the detachable closure device including: a fastener including a first wall coupled along a fold to an opposing, second wall; a first latching element disposed on the first wall and a second latching element disposed on the second wall, wherein the first latching element engages with the second latching element when the fold is placed over the top edge of the one side panel; and first and second attachment mechanisms, each disposed at opposite corresponding ends of the first wall of the fastener.
 14. The bag of claim 13, wherein the first attachment mechanism includes an insertion member and the second attachment mechanism includes a corresponding engaging member of a quick-release buckle.
 15. The bag of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second attachment mechanisms includes a flexible member extending from a respective end of the first wall.
 16. The bag of claim 15, wherein the flexible member is a lanyard.
 17. The bag of claim 13, wherein two opposing side panels are configured to be rolled down over each other toward the bottom panel after the first latching element of the detachable closure device engages with the second latching element and the open top is occluded.
 18. The bag of claim 13, further comprising at least one of a durable container for food and a bottle for a drinkable fluid.
 19. The bag of claim 13, wherein the plurality of side panels are each made of a biodegradable material.
 20. The bag of claim 13, wherein the first and second walls of the detachable closure device are hingedly connected at the fold. 